Plan Your Trip

Plan smart and early to get

The best doctors

Cheapest airfares

Best hotel availability and rates

This is particularly true if you travel in India’s peak tourist season from October to February. Begin planning three months in advance but take care and check the cancellation policies of airlines, hotels and travel agents.

Be Sure of your diagnosis and treatment needs

Research your Indian doctor thoroughly

Never under estimate the importance of this step. Narrow your search to two or three physicians, get on the phone and interview the doctor, either in person or through a travel planning agency. Ask lots of questions until you feel comfortable and satisfied. (For question suggestions check here.)

Consider a travel companion

Recommended by our past health care travellers, a friend can allay your uncertianties and help you along the way.

Besides, travel is more fun with a friend.

Consider a Knowledgeable Health Care Planner

Hands on, local experience in making appointments, recommendations, airline and hotel bookings even second opinions all helps. Get it in writing, or print out email correspondence. The more in writing the less chance of misunderstandings.

Communicate in your own language

A Medical trip is not is not the time to begin learning Hindi. Be sure you understand everything that is being planned and is going on at the time. In India, you can relax as India has a very large English speaking population.

DON’T Plan your trip too tightly

If you do not allow time to recover, an extra day in recovery could mean an expensive rescheduling of your flight. The Patient Beyond Borders handbook recommends and extra day for every five days you anticipate for consultation, surgery and recovery.

Why not enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a little extra R & R in Indians many life transformative heritage sites?

Tell your bank and Credit Card company

Many banks will prevent unexpected oversees transactions, so inform them of the expected travel dates and were you will travel. Confirm your transaction limits for larger costs.

We recommend you keep a second credit or ATM card separate from your wallet, just in case your wallet is lost. Some organisations like, offer cards without visible personal details, that can be used at ATMs with conversion rates sometimes better than banks.

Learn about your destination

By reading a travel guide in advance, and reading a local newspaper, you enhance your travel experience. Your hosts will appreciate your interest, making your stay more enjoyable for all.

Inform your doctor before you leave

Keeping a good working relationship with your local doctor and specialist, even if they would prefer you to seek local treatment. Your local health care professional needs to know what is happening to ensure quality long term aftercare.

While In India

Avoid adventurous foods until after your operation

As much as you love curry, you don’t want to enter surgery with Delhi Belly. Use bottle water (even Indian locals do this!) and wait until you are fully recovered before tasting India’s wonderful spicy delights.

While at the clinic ask the dietician for a menu easy on your digestion.

DON’T be cheap on accommodation

You need to feel comfortable when recuperating, and yet not feel stressed about an expensive hotel. Ask the hospital and your healthcare travel agent for recommendations.

Don’t stay too far away from your treatment centre

Make sure your accommodation – and your companions – is near the treatment centre.

DON’T settle for second best treatment

Focus on quality care. You may find abuget flight, even cheaper accommodation, but never compromise on health care.

Do befriend the staff

Care is more than surgery. Your healthcare experience will be enhanced by taking a little extra effort to remember the names of nurses, doctors even the cleaners. A sincere thankyou goes along way to making your stay – and their work – more enjoyable. The happier your hospital stay the better your chance of a relaxing recovery.

Going home

Don’t return home to soon

After all the trave and surgery you may want to rush home. DON’T. your body needs to recuperate and your doctor needs to monitor your progress. Find out the recommended recovery time before you leave for India.

DO have time for a vacation

Even if its just for a weekend get away budget to see the sights. Enhance your recovery experience with India’s many life transformative tourist destinations. Don’t waste the opportunity – life is meant to be enjoyed.

DO get all your paperwork before leaving the country

Take copies of everything and keep your receipts. In particular keep documentation of your procedures, treatment and followup.

Above all, trust your intuition

“Your courage and good judgment have set you on the path to medical travel” wrote Josef Woodman in Patience Beyond Borders, “Rely on your instincts.”

He recommends that if you feel uncomfortable with your in-house consultation, switch doctors. If you feel queasy about unexpected costs question it.

Common sense, good information and good judgment has helped thousands of successful medical tourists before you.

You too can enjoy a safe, and invigorating health care experience in India.